The Cold Spring Harbor firehouse bond was voted on last night and it failed

The 3 yr term will be occupied by Bruce Hafner

The 5 yr term will be occupied by Kevin O’Brien

December 11, 2008

Cold Spring Harbor residents have an opportunity to vote on an important issue today at the Cold Spring Harbor Firehouse (2 Main St, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724). A $6.9 million dollar bond is in question and your tax dollars are at stake.

Are all of the renovations/expansions necessary or appropriate for our community? You decide.

There are two seats available for reelection this year on the Board of Fire Commissioners of the Cold Spring Harbor Fire District. The Board of Fire Commissioners consists of 5 members who each serve a 5 year term. As one of the Commissioners resigned this year with 3 yrs left on his/her term there are two positions up for reelection this year.

The candidates and their literature are as follows:

5yr term:

• Kevin O’Brien, Cold Spring Harbor Fire Commissioner Candidate
• Jack Palatella, Cold Spring Harbor Fire Commissioner Candidate Statement

3yr term

• Bruce Hafner, Cold Spring Harbor Fire Commissioner Candidate Statement
• Vincent Papa, Cold Spring Harbor Fire Commissioner Candidate Statement

The board of Fire Commissioners of the Cold Spring Harbor Fire District states that the impact the renovations/expansion of the firehouse on local taxes will be:

“…For every $1,000 of assessed value, your Fire tax rate will increase by $56.81…”

and describes the budgeting as follows:

• The firehouse has not been renovated in 36yrs
• The firehouse is not up to building code e.g. handicapped accessibility
• Safety Improvements
• Improvements to the building’s energy efficiency, and modernization of mechanical systems
• Upgrade the emergency generator
• Create an Emergency Shelter
• Restore the facade
• The addition of another bay to house the equipment which is currently stored outside

The Concerned Citizens of Cold Spring Harbor estimate the median tax increase higher than figures stated by the Board of Commissioners:

“…annual tax bill to go up between $300 and $2,300 dollars for the next 15yrs in order to pay the bond off…”

They also bring to light details of the firehouse expansion not included in the Board of Fire Commissioner’s literature:

• A substantial section of the expansion includes a Meeting Room which will seat 150 people and a commercial kitchen (catering hall?)
• A fitness center at the firehouse for the volunteer firemen whom currently have fully paid membership to health clubs in Huntington
• A training facility is in question; the firemen currently use one in Yaphank where all Suffolk County volunteer firemen train
• Many of the firemen in favor of the bond do not live in Cold Spring Harbor therefore are unaffected by the tax increase
• The heating, air conditioning, cleaning, and maintenance costs have not been taken into account which could mean more tax increases
• The expansion eliminates the parking spaces adjacent to the firehouse no additional provisions have been made for parking accomodations

The Long Islander “$6.95 mill Fire Vote Still Alarming Residents”

Get out and vote today:

Cold Spring Harbor firehouse, 2 Main Street, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724 between 5pm-9pm